Grant Application - Grassroots Marketing Team at DWeb Camp

readymouse · April 23, 2026, 7:01pm

The grassroots marketing team including me, @fabacab , @cos, and Bianca, who brought you Buenos Aires devConnect, ETHDenver, ETHCC Cannes, Exxxotica marketing events is proposing to join other zcashers at DWeb camp this summer. We have submitted a formal proposal for the @ZCG ’s consideration.

github.com/ZcashCommunityGrants/zcashcommunitygrants

Grant Application - Grassroots Marketing Team at DWeb Camp

opened 06:54PM - 23 Apr 26 UTC

ReadyMouse

### Terms and Conditions - [x] I agree to the [Grant Agreement](https://9ba4718…c-5c73-47c3-a024-4fc4e5278803.usrfiles.com/ugd/9ba471_f81ef4e4b5f040038350270590eb2e42.pdf) terms if funded - [x] I agree to [Provide KYC information](https://9ba4718c-5c73-47c3-a024-4fc4e5278803.usrfiles.com/ugd/9ba471_7d9e73d16b584a61bae92282b208efc4.pdf) if funded above $50,000 USD - [x] I agree to disclose conflicts of interest - [x] I agree to adhere to the [Code of Conduct](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zcg-code-of-conduct/41787) and [Communication Guidelines](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zcg-communication-guidelines/44284) - [x] I understand all milestone deliverables will be validated and accepted by their intended users or their representatives, who will confirm that the deliverables meet the required quality, functionality, and usability for each user story. - [x] I agree that for any new open-source software, I will create a `CONTRIBUTING.md` file that reflects the high standards of Zcash development, using the [`librustzcash` style guides](https://github.com/zcash/librustzcash/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#styleguides) as a primary reference. - [x] I understand when contributing to existing Zcash code, I am required to adhere to the project specific contribution guidelines, paying close attention to any [merge](https://github.com/zcash/librustzcash/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#merge-workflow), [branch](https://github.com/zcash/librustzcash/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#branch-history), [pull request](https://github.com/zcash/librustzcash/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#pull-request-review), and [commit](https://github.com/zcash/librustzcash/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#commit-messages) guidelines as exemplified in the `librustzcash` repository. - [x] I agree to post request details on the [Community Forum](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/c/grants/33) - [x] I understand it is my responsibility to post a link to this issue on the [Zcash Community Forums](https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/c/grants/33) after this application has been submitted so the community can give input. I understand this is required in order for ZCG to discuss and vote on this grant application. ### Application Owners (@Octocat, @Octocat1) readymouse, fabacab, cosmojg ### Organization Name Mylo Bennett aka Ready Mouse ### How did you learn about Zcash Community Grants Previous recipient ### Requested Grant Amount (USD) $24,000 ### Category Community ### Project Lead ```project-lead.yaml Name: Mylo Bennett @ReadyMouse Role: Lead Community Ambassador and Project Manager Background: Product Manager with 10+ years experience in technical project management. Active Zcash community member and regular attendee at Boston Zcash meetups and major crypto conferences. Successfully led grassroots outreach at DevConnect Buenos Aires, ETHBoulder/ETHDenver, and ETHCC Cannes. Invited to speak at ETHBoulder on private payment processors. Responsibilities: Event coordination, community outreach strategy, workshop facilitation, budget management, and partnership development. Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mylo-mbennett/ | https://github.com/ReadyMouse | https://x.com/zReadyMouse ``` ### Additional Team Members ```team-members.yaml Name: Violet @fabacab Role: Technical Educator and Privacy Advocate Background: Experienced privacy technology educator and skilled technical workshop facilitator with deep knowledge of Zcash and encrypted money concepts. Has facilitated six workshops onboarding 100+ participants from at-risk communities (sex workers, gig workers, LGBTQIA+ individuals). Made 80+ new connections during Buenos Aires outreach. Invited to speak at ETHBoulder and ETHCC Cannes on practical Zodl usage. Responsibilities: Technical workshops, developer relations, privacy education, content creation, community engagement, and technical support. Socials: https://bsky.app/profile/violetrollergirl.com | https://x.com/rollergirlVi Name: Cosmo (zcash @cos, github @cosmojg) Role: Developer Connection Background: Contributed to other chains and coins open source projects but Zcash convert to the private world. Neuroscience background; has collaborated with @ReadyMouse on AI and data pipeline projects. Attended ETHDenver and successfully advocated for zcash during the conference. Responsibilities: Developer relations, privacy education, content creation, and community engagement. Socials: https://github.com/Cosmojg | https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmojg/ Name: Bianca Stone Role: Privacy Advocate Background: Bianca joined us at Exxxotica to teach about Zodl, and onboard new users. She did an amazing job drawing people into conversations, meeting them where they were at in explaining the technology. Bianca brings the real-world application and user stories to the team to compliment the heavy technology perspectives. Responsibilities: Privacy education, content creation, and community engagement. ``` ### Project Summary Continuing our proven grassroots marketing approach, from DevConnect Buenos Aires Nov 2024, ETHDenver, and ETHCC Cannes, we will attend DWeb Camp 2026 in Berlin this July. DWeb Camp is a gathering at the intersection of decentralized web, privacy, and open-source technology, and represents one of the most philosophically and technically aligned audiences in the conference landscape for Zcash outreach. Across our four prior campaigns, we aim to directly onboarded new Zodl users and hold deep technical conversations about zcash for this developer focused audience. We bring our full field-tested playbook to Berlin: hands-on Zodl demonstrations, technical privacy education, real-world use case storytelling, and daily community documentation. ### Project Description This project extends our proven grassroots marketing approach to DWeb Camp 2026 in Berlin, Germany (July 2026). Our team will: • Attend and actively engage at DWeb Camp 2026 (Berlin, July 2026) • Attend side events and workshops throughout the camp to spread engagement across the broader DWeb ecosystem • Conduct hands-on Zodl wallet demonstrations and onboarding with developers, privacy advocates, and open-source contributors • Educate attendees on CipherPay and Zcash-based e-commerce payment processing as real-world business adoption tools • Build strategic partnerships with privacy-focused organizations and DWeb community leaders • Create content documenting outreach efforts through social media, daily selfie posts of new Zodl users with their unified addresses, and a post-event case study • Develop lasting relationships with developers, researchers, and community leaders, with timed follow-up to reduce post-onboarding drop-off The initiative continues to focus on multiple touch points with potential users, recognizing that people often need 3+ exposures before adoption. DWeb Camp expands our reach into a new, high-signal vertical of decentralization advocates while deepening our European market presence following ETHCC Cannes. ### Proposed Problem Despite Zcash's technical superiority in privacy-preserving cryptocurrency, awareness remains limited outside core crypto circles. Specific challenges include: • Limited Brand Awareness: Many developers and privacy advocates in the decentralized web space have never encountered Zcash, or hold outdated assumptions about its capabilities and ecosystem health. • Fragmented Touch Points: Users need multiple exposures to new technology before adoption, but current outreach lacks systematic follow-through and sustained engagement. • Developer Pipeline Gap: The DWeb community contains exactly the open-source contributors and protocol builders who could strengthen the Zcash ecosystem. ### Proposed Solution Deploy a 4-person dedicated grassroots marketing team to DWeb Camp 2026 in Berlin, creating structured touch points and educational opportunities: • Camp Presence: Active participation at DWeb Camp with demo devices, prepared materials, and proven engagement strategies from four prior campaigns. • Technical Education: Conversations and workshops covering Zcash's shielded transaction architecture, zero-knowledge proofs, Zodl wallet usage, and CipherPay payment processing for real-world e-commerce. • Developer Relations: Direct outreach to open-source contributors and protocol developers in the DWeb community to explore Zcash ecosystem collaboration. • European Market Expansion: DWeb Camp deepens Zcash's footprint in the EU, building on warm relationships established at ETHCC Cannes. • Content Creation: Daily Twitter documentation (@zReadyMouse) of new user onboarding (selfies + unified addresses), social media posts, and a post-event case study. • Sustained Engagement: Leverage our cumulative contact database from previous events with timed follow-up messages to re-ignite interest and reduce post-onboarding drop-off. ### Solution Format Primary Deliverables • Camp attendance and active engagement at DWeb Camp Berlin (July 2026) with 4 team members • 30+ new Zodl wallet downloads / onboardings • 150+ documented conversations and interactions • Daily social media documentation (selfies of new Zodl users + unified addresses) on @zReadyMouse Twitter • Trip report with metrics, photos, and engagement data posted to Zcash Community Forums within 1 week of event completion • Post-event case study on DWeb as a Zcash adoption vertical • Potentially collaborate with other zcashers in attendence (ZK AC Club, and other choosen representatives) Tracking and Metrics • New Zodl wallet downloads per event • Individual conversations/interactions (tracked via new phone contacts) • New contacts and potential collaborators per event • Social media engagement on @zReadyMouse Twitter • Post-event follow-up response rate ### Dependencies • Health and availability of team members to travel • DWeb Camp ticket and camping availability • Final event schedule and programming ### Technical Approach This is primarily a marketing and community engagement project. It is not a digital marketing campaign, it focuses on in-person interactions with demonstrations of Zcash wallet functionality, hands-on onboarding assistance, technical privacy education, and relationship-building with the DWeb developer community. ### Upstream Merge Opportunities NA ### Hardware/Software Costs (USD) NA ### Hardware/Software Justification NA ### Service Costs (USD) $17,600 ### Service Costs Justification DWeb Camp 2026 — Berlin Cost Breakdown: Cost Breakdown (per person): • Flights: East Coast → Berlin, round-trip: ~$2,500 per person • Ground transport (Ubers to/from): ~$300 per person • Incidentals: ~$200 per person • DWeb Camp early bird ticket: ~$850 USD (€730) • Camping accommodation: ~$390 USD (€655 per 2-person tent) • Meal plan: ~$245 USD (€208) • Subtotal per person: ~$4,400 Team Costs: • 4 team members: $4,400 x 4 = $17,600 ### Compensation Costs (USD) $6,400 ### Compensation Costs Justification $1,600 per person, for 8-hrs for 5 days of camp at $40/hr marketing rate. ### Total Budget (USD) $24,000 ### Previous Funding Yes ### Previous Funding Details • DevConnect Buenos Aires (November 2025): Crowdfunded via community forum donations. https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/proposal-for-marketing-efforts-at-global-conferences/52231/18 • ETHBoulder/ETHDenver (February 2026): ZCG grant ($9,000). Full trip report delivered on time. https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/grassroots-marketing-at-ethdenver-2026/54364/8 • ETHCC Cannes / Exxxotica Chicago (Spring 2026): ZCG grant ($18,510). https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/marketing-at-ethcc-exxxotica-chicago/54832 • Berlin Blockchain Week (June 2026): ZCG Grant ($63,820) upcoming. https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/grant-application-marketing-at-berlin-blockchain-week-2-day-event-with-webzero/55110 ### Other Funding Sources No ### Other Funding Sources Details _No response_ ### Implementation Risks Weather/Travel Disruptions: Flights may be delayed or canceled; accommodation availability may change. Mitigation: Book refundable options where possible; build buffer time into schedule. Lower Than Expected Turnout: Fewer people may engage than anticipated. Mitigation: DWeb Camp's curated, invitation-based format means a higher-signal audience even if total numbers are smaller than trade shows. Our experience shows consistent demand for Zcash education at privacy-aligned events. Team Availability: Team members may have competing obligations. Mitigation: Clear advance planning; roles are distributed and not single-point-of-failure. ### Potential Side Effects Post-Onboarding Drop-Off: Onboarded users may not remain active beyond initial download. Mitigation: Collect contact info for follow-up; create welcoming social media posts with unified addresses; pre-compose timed follow-up messages to re-ignite interest and address friction after first contact. ### Success Metrics Deliverables: • Camp attendance (July 2026) with 4 team members • 30+ new Zodl wallet downloads • 150+ documented conversations • Daily social media documentation on @zReadyMouse Twitter • Trip report posted to Zcash Community Forums within 1 week of event completion • Post-event case study on DWeb as a Zcash adoption vertical ### Startup Funding (USD) $24,000 ### Startup Funding Justification Pre-event funding is preferred to allow booking of flights and accommodation at best rates, acting as good stewards of ZCG resources. ### Milestone Details ```milestones.yaml Single Milestone for startup funding. User Stories: • "As a DWeb developer, I want to understand how Zcash's shielded transactions work compared to other privacy technologies, so I can make informed decisions about integrating privacy-preserving payments." • "As a privacy advocate at DWeb Camp, I want to see a live Zodl wallet demonstration, so I can understand the real-world usability of Zcash for everyday transactions." • "As an open-source contributor, I want to learn about Zcash's development ecosystem and grant programs, so I can explore contributing to or building on the protocol." Deliverables: • Camp attendance (July 2026) with 4 team members • 30+ new Zodl wallet downloads • 150+ documented conversations • Daily social media documentation on @zReadyMouse Twitter • Trip report posted to Zcash Community Forums within 1 week of event completion • Post-event case study on DWeb as a Zcash adoption vertical Acceptance Criteria: • Trip report includes photos, metrics (downloads, conversations), and new user testimonials • Social media documentation published daily during the event • Forum post live within 1 week of camp conclusion ``` ### Supporting Documents ```files.yaml • DWeb Camp Request for Proposals: https://x.com/i/status/2036510106808893654 • ETHCC Cannes / Exxxotica Chicago grant & trip report: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/marketing-at-ethcc-exxxotica-chicago/54832 • ETHDenver trip report: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/grassroots-marketing-at-ethdenver-2026/54364/8 • DevConnect Buenos Aires crowdfunding: https://forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/proposal-for-marketing-efforts-at-global-conferences/52231/18 ```

Our previous efforts:

ETHCC Cannes / Exxxotica Chicago grant & trip report: Marketing at ETHCC + Exxxotica, Chicago
ETHDenver trip report: Grassroots Marketing at ETHDenver 2026 - #8 by fabacab
DevConnect Buenos Aires crowdfunding: Proposal for Marketing Efforts at Global Conferences - #18 by readymouse

Cheers,

Mylo

ZCG · May 1, 2026, 1:18pm

@readymouse at the most recent meeting, ZCG voted to approve this proposal. Congratulations!

Please check your forum inbox for a direct message from FPF with important next steps, including a link to the Milestone Payment Request Form and your unique validation code for submitting payment requests.

readymouse · May 2, 2026, 4:02pm

Yay! Thanks so much for believing in our team again! I’m excited along with @fabacab and @cos to join @ryan.taylor, @squirrel and @Kenzo at the event. Anyone else going?!

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Grant Application - Grassroots Marketing Team at DWeb Camp

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